Reeling from a stunning upset loss, National University responded in emphatic fashion, dismantling the already-eliminated University of the East, 25-8, 25-22, 25-12, to move within striking distance of a twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Final Four on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena.
Despite missing scoring leader Alyssa Solomon for the second straight game due to a mild left ankle sprain, the Final Four-bound Lady Bulldogs improved to a 10-2 record.
They are just one win away from securing the coveted playoff incentive, which they can clinch on Sunday against the Ateneo Blue Eagles at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“I’m very happy na nakabawi ‘yung team kasi medyo masakit sa part namin ‘yung nangyari last game, which is natalo kami,” said two-time MVP Bella Belen, recalling their tough 23-25, 25-15, 26-28, 22-25 loss to Adamson University last weekend.
“Lagi ko lang ni-remind ‘yung team na dapat ‘yung mga susunod na laro namin, dapat ‘yung performance namin mataas. Hindi porket ‘yung kalaban namin is lower-ranked team, mababa na rin ‘yung performance namin.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Lady Bulldogs came out firing in the opening set, not allowing the Lady Warriors to build any rhythm. NU cruised to a dominant 25-8 win, with five of UE’s points even coming off NU’s own errors.
In the third set, the defending champions closed the door emphatically, turning a tight 12-10 advantage into a commanding 25-12 finish in just one hour and 38 minutes. Vange Alinsug, Aisha Bello, Erin Pangilinan, and Belen spearheaded the onslaught with a flurry of attacks to seal the victory.
“I’m so happy and all thanks to the coaches and my teammates for trusting me even though opposite is not my natural position but I’m trying to put my effort so I’m so happy to show what I am,” said Bello, who stepped in as a starter in Solomon’s absence.
Bello, a Nigerian middle blocker converted to opposite spiker, finished with nine points and four digs. Alinsug also chipped in nine points in just two sets of play.
Belen, in pursuit of a third MVP plum, delivered another all-around performance with 16 points off 14-of-29 attacks and two aces, while also tallying 13 digs and eight receptions.
NU rookie and homegrown talent Celine Marsh added seven points in one set, while Pangilinan also contributed seven in two sets played.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, UE remained winless at 0-12, with just two games left to try and salvage a victory in what has been a dismal season. The Lady Warriors will next face the UST Golden Tigresses on Saturday before wrapping up their campaign against Ateneo.
The trio of Khy Cepada, Van Bangayan, and Riza Nogales scored six points apiece in the loss.
Notably, Nogales out-blocked the entire NU squad with five rejections — an individual stat that outshined the Bulldogs’ net defense — but UE struggled mightily in attacks, managing just 18 compared to NU’s 49.
NU also dominated in the service department, registering seven aces, while UE failed to score even one.
#WATCH: “MAY STANDARD DAPAT KAMI”
Bella Belen proud moment! NU’s young guns Aisha Bello and Celine Marsh rise to the challenge and prove they’re built for the big stage 🏐
📹 @ernesttuazon/ Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/jT0Yv2QERd
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 9, 2025
